Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released a new statement about his decision to self-quarantine after coming into contact with someone who was infected with the coronavirus, saying that he is continuing to do well.
“Sen. Cruz feels great, has not exhibited any symptoms of the coronavirus in the last 11 days, and is not currently experiencing any symptoms,” a Cruz spokesperson said in a statement. “Sen. Cruz’s own decision to stay at home in Texas this week – until a full 14 days have passed since the interaction on February 27 – was made out of an abundance of caution and to give everyone peace of mind, not because it was medically recommended.”
“Importantly, medical authorities assured Sen. Cruz that anyone who has interacted with him over the last 11 days should not be concerned about potential transmission and they do not require any special treatment, including self-quarantine,” the statement continued. “As such, Sen. Cruz’s staff is following the recommendations of these medical authorities in response to this interaction.”
The update concluded, “The office is open, continuing operations, and taking all necessary precautions to ensure their own health and wellness, as well as the health and wellness of our family members, our constituents, our colleagues in Congress, and everyone around us.”
NEW STATEMENT: Sen. Cruz feels great, has not exhibited any symptoms of the #coronavirus in the last 11 days, and is not currently experiencing any symptoms. pic.twitter.com/lNwViKdAew
— Lauren Blair Aronson (@laurenblair88) March 9, 2020
The announcement comes after Cruz revealed on Sunday that he had come into contact with someone at CPAC who had tested positive for the coronavirus, which originated in China.
As a result of that contact, Cruz announced that although the interaction was 10 days ago that he would self-quarantine for the next four days at his home in Texas out of an abundance of caution.
“Last night, I was informed that 10 days ago at CPAC I briefly interacted with an individual who is currently symptomatic and has tested positive for COVID-19. That interaction consisted of a brief conversation and a handshake,” Cruz said on Sunday. “I’m not experiencing any symptoms, and I feel fine and healthy. Given that the interaction was 10 days ago, that the average incubation period is 5-6 days, that the interaction was for less than a minute, and that I have no current symptoms, the medical authorities have advised me that the odds of transmission from the other individual to me were extremely low.”
“The physicians further advised that testing is not effective before symptoms manifest, and my brief interaction with the individual does not meet the CDC criteria for self-quarantine,” Cruz continued. “The medical authorities explicitly advised me that, given the above criteria, the people who have interacted with me in the 10 days since CPAC should not be concerned about potential transmission.”
“Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, and because of how frequently I interact with my constituents as a part of my job and to give everyone peace of mind, I have decided to remain at my home in Texas this week, until a full 14 days have passed since the CPAC interaction,” Cruz concluded. “Everyone should continue to treat this outbreak seriously and be driven by facts and medical science. We need to continue to be proactive in mobilizing resources to combat this outbreak-including the $8.3 billion in emergency funding we provided last week-and I encourage everyone to follow the recommendations of the CDC and other health professionals in protecting their own health and welfare, as well as the health and welfare of those around them.”